Writer/Director: J. Blakeson
Starring: Rosamund Pike, Peter Dinklage and Chris Messina
‘A Captivating Thriller’
Few actresses in Hollywood have made films which audiences like as much as Rosamund Pike. Since her rise to stardom in the 1990’s, Pike has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s psychotic killers, aristocratic figures or cruel women, Pike has portrayed many characters. Arguably, Pike’s greatest strength as an actor has always been her commitment. She is one of those actresses that has never been afraid taking on risky roles by portraying characters which aren’t likeable. Pike has excelled playing complicated women having mischievous lives that aren’t always easy to like. Through ability to portray characters that are compelling, she has made a commemorated legacy which is lasting. Shining a bright light in darkness, Pike has become one of the most beloved actresses in the modern-day entertainment business. Throughout her illustrious career, Pike has created countless commemorated movies which are definitely without any doubt worth seeing.
I’m a huge fan of Pike and adore all the movies she has made in her enduring career. However, “I Care a Lot” is my favourite film. Released in 2020, Pike’s most underrated movie offered an engaging depiction of capitalism. Packed with breathtaking production, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the finest films made about con-artists. At the centre of it all is an excellent performance by Rosamund Pike, who embodies a mischievous con artist committing clever crimes which are shocking. Ultimately, what makes “I Care a Lot” a classic crime drama is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about the consequences of crime which would resonate with everyone. Although “I Care a Lot” is a captivating crime thriller, ultimately it isn’t a flawless movie. It’s unevenly paced, and lacks powerful character development. Nevertheless, it offers engaging entertainment that fans of Rosamund Pike will not be able to resist.
“I Care a Lot” tells the story of a legal guardian which commits con-artist crimes. Rosamund Pike embodies Marla Grayson, a clever con-artist woman that commits crimes. Marla is a powerful woman with a strong personality that has always gotten away with committing crime without facing a price to pay. However, Marla’s dreams of becoming a successful con artist in her profession are threatened by criminals that she comes into contact with. Her client Roman Lunyov (Peter Dinklage) is a hot-headed man with a dangerous track record. Faced with an intense dilemma, Marla questions whether she can truly become a legendary con artist with a strong persona. As all odds become stacked against her favour, Marla questions whether it is possible for her to become a criminal with a bright future.
J. Blakeson is a newcomer towards stories of con-artists. Before he directed “I Care a Lot”, Blakeson had never made a movie about the lives of con-artists in his career before. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture lives of con-artists but he succeeded. Through strong cinematography, Blakeson captures the life of a legal guardian committing crimes that cause tragedy. Blakeson expertly uses montages to capture the life of a con-artist which commits crimes which are shocking. For instance, the montages enhance the investigation scene. In this memorable scene, Marla engages in tense investigations of documents belonging toward her clients. One appreciates strong montages capturing the hardships that clever con-artists go through. Montages are tricky techniques to use in movies. As David Fincher’s “Gone Girl” suggested, montages elevate murder mystery movies. Nevertheless, it works tremendously in this movie. Through stunning cinematography, Blakeson captures con-artist women seeking to commit crimes with consequences that are shocking.
Another admirable aspect of “I Care a Lot” is the production-design. From a technical point of view, the film is well made. Blakeson has an aptitude for capturing the lives of con artists committing crimes using costumes. Blakeson effectively uses costumes to capture lives of con-artists committing crimes. Throughout the film, the dresses that Marla wears showcase her mysterious nature as a mischievous con-artist. For instance, the dresses enhance the con artist scene. During this memorable scene, Marla commits cons with dire consequences wearing a distinct dress. Through costumes, Blakeson captures the hardships which con-artist women go through. Moreover, the music is magnificent. Marc Canham’s music is key to the movie’s success. It gives the film a tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden that con-artists bear. Using stunning production design, Blakeson captures tense lives of commemorated con-artists facing decline.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “I Care a Lot” is a captivating classic which is compelling. The film is beautifully written, and expertly uses voice-over narration to capture the lives of con-artists which endure tension. Blakeson’s screenwriting strength is his ability to capture the lives of con-artists experiencing conflicted emotion through narration. Blakeson effectively uses narration to capture the lives of con-artists facing tension. For instance, the narration elevates the opening scene. During this unforgettable scene, Marla discusses her thoughts on the professions of being a criminal legal guardian. Through ingenious voice over narration, Blakeson capture hardships which con artists go through. Voice-over narration is a tricky technique to use in movies. As Martin Scorsese’s “The Wolf of Wall Street” claimed clearly, narration elevates biographies about clever real-life stockbrokers. Emerald Fennell’s “Saltburn” suggested that narration elevates movies about social class in Britain. However, it works immensely in this film. Using a sharp screenplay, Blakeson conveys commemorated con-artists that face a price to pay.
One appreciates astonishing performances.
Rosamund Pike delivers one of her best career performances as Marla. Pike achieved praise for playing mysterious women that disappear in crime dramas. With “I Care a Lot”, however, she took on her most complex role. It isn’t easy to embody the personality of a con-artist that commits crimes in the legal profession, but she succeeded tremendously. This is the actress unlike you’ve ever seen her before: charming, emotional and intense in her most memorable role. Pike is one of those actresses which has often had an aptitude for playing manipulative women in position of power, and “I Care a Lot” showcased her strengths clearly. With strong expressions, she captures the anger, grief and mischievous nature of a woman that commits crimes that cause tragedy. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the finest actresses working today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Rosamund Pike, the supporting cast is also sensational and worthy of appreciation. Peter Dinklage is phenomenal, capturing the rage of a gangster seeking to commit crimes causing damage. Chris Messina is captivating, bringing charisma to a lawyer that is dedicated to fight legal corruption which causes trauma. Finally, Dianne West merits appreciation. As an aging woman, she brings heartfelt emotion towards the movie.
Despite its strong performances, however, “I Care a Lot” can’t quite capture the lives of con-artists about whom people care. If there is a minor drawback to the movie, it suffers torn uneven pacing. Blakeson’s choice to integrate subplots involving gangsters into the movie is clever but doesn’t succeed. Due to his faulty technique, scenes focusing on Roman’s gang operation aren’t as engaging as Marla’s drive to commit crimes. As Martin Scorsese’s “The Departed” suggested, subplots about crimes enhance gangster movies. Moreover, the film lacks a compelling ending. It’s an ambiguous ending without resolution that fails to bring the film to a satisfying conclusion. Consequently, “I Care a Lot” isn’t a film about which everyone would care.
Nevertheless, fans of Rosamund Pike would definitely enjoy “I Care a Lot” and so would movie-goers seeking intense entertainment. An engaging crime drama, it celebrates a legendary actress with charisma that has become an icon in the modern era.
A captivating portrait of clever con-artists that care a lot about their profession seeking acknowledgements committing crimes that are frightening, it’s a compelling reminder about an actress that has gained a huge following earning worldwide recognition for her abilities to portray larger-than-life characters which are fascinating whose engaging movies are definitely without any doubt worth celebrating.
4/5 stars
The Film Buff 